Production Lead Jobs in Ohio
Production Lead jobs in Ohio are concentrated in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, where manufacturing, automotive, and consumer goods production form the backbone of regional hiring. Employers like Honda, Procter & Gamble, and Whirlpool maintain substantial Ohio operations and consistently fill production lead roles at both shift-level and department-level seniority. The most in-demand specialties include automotive assembly, food and beverage processing, and plastics and rubber manufacturing. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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The Production Lead will be responsible for assisting the Production Manager. This specific role will have a knowledge of all machinery to assist in training machine operators and help with down time. This role will lead the workforce to: maintain and promote a safe environment per Pratt Industries Safety Requirements, maintain and promote clean work environment, maintain and promote a high quality standard (no damaged product to the customer, complying with in house QA process, timely disposition of damaged goods).
Responsibilities:
- Train and cross-train employees on machinery and processes.
- Ensure that necessary tools and materials are available for crews to accomplish tasks.
- Oversee crews and ensure that they are reliable, dependable, on-time.
- Ensure that there is cooperation among crew members. Maintain and improve morale and make sure that they work as a team. Maintain confidentiality.
- Address questions, concerns, and problems expressed by the crew.
- Train crew members about the importance of running efficiently.
- Communicate with crew members regarding performance.
- Coordinate with your supervisor and Maintenance Superintendent on any repairs or preventive maintenance done in the department.
- Keep upper management informed of problems or situations that may affect the performance of your department.
- Conduct weekly Production/Safety meetings with departmental personnel.
- Communicate with necessary supervision to avoid problems between shift changes.
- Improve career skills by enrolling in seminars, technical courses, and related college courses.
- Implement, maintain, and support all company policies and procedures, including safety programs, and good housekeeping.
- Additional duties may be assigned by management.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or GED.
Candidates are PREFERRED who offer the following:
Prior work experience in the corrugated industry.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Able to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Able to read a tape measure with speed and accuracy. Able to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, measurement, volume and rate. Able to apply concepts of high school math.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or graphic form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
The individual must have a working knowledge of the following:
Equipment design and capabilities that can be translated into efficient operation. This also supports the supervisor's role of teacher and trainer for his/her personnel.
Cost issues in order to make daily decisions that will reduce overall costs and will help the supervisor find areas that require improvement.
QUALITY STANDARDS:
Regulatory requirements including but not limited to wage and hour requirements, environmental and waste minimization, company policies, and personnel requirements including OSHA, DEQ and EEO.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
May be required to maintain a current Lift Truck Operator License.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
The individual must possess the following:
Superior time management skills including; the ability to manage multiple issues concurrently, the ability to lead an effective and efficient meeting.
Teaching skills in order to function effectively as a teacher for his personnel both in the technical and administrative parts of the position.
Excellent crisis manager who demonstrates that he/she has a high emotional control under adverse conditions and can lead his/her personnel to a successful resolution.
Excellent employee relations skills including being an active listener, understanding how to appraise personnel, applying both positive and corrective feedback, being able to resolve conflicts either involving the supervisor directly or as a third party, understands and demonstrates positive motivational skills including coaching and delegation techniques.
Demonstrated confidence including providing a consistent leadership style with an acceptable level of professional assertiveness.
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS
The performance of the supervisor will be measured as follows:
Operating standards - the employee will need to meet or exceed the Operating Standards in the areas of quality, cost, safety, customer satisfaction and productivity. Such standards will be set annually and communicated by the supervisor.
Personal growth - while the company will provide the tools to assist the lead to grow professionally the responsibility for moving forward lies with the individual. Each year there will be goals developed and agreed to by the lead and his/her supervisor/superintendent.
Employee relations - through observations the lead will be evaluated regarding his/her skills and advancements in the areas of motivational techniques and results, positive and corrective/constructive feedback, subordinate development and creating a positive work environment.
Creativity - this will be evaluated by how active the supervisor is in participating in advancing the business through new and innovative ideas.
Requirements:Pratt Industries is America's 5th largest paper and packaging company with more than 9,000 highly skilled green collar employees dedicated to the environment and sustainability. Pratt Industries is one of the largest corrugated packaging companies in America, with sophisticated manufacturing facilities in more than twenty states. The company operates several of the most modern, cost effective paper mills in the country, as well as a series of sheet and box plants strategically placed throughout the United States offering a wide range of creative packaging solutions. Pratt Industries is committed to recycling and the environment by harvesting the urban forest.
Pratt Industries offers competitive compensation plans with full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, All State, Pre-Paid Legal, and 401(k) with company match, paid vacation, paid holidays, and childbearing and parental leave.
See All 39 Production Lead Jobs in Ohio
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Find Production Lead JobsProduction Lead Jobs by City in Ohio
Where Ohio roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Lead Job Market in Ohio
A snapshot from current Ohio openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Chemicals & Materials
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Ohio Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production lead jobs across Ohio.
- Two or more years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment
- Demonstrated ability to lead a team of production or assembly workers
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement methods
- High school diploma or GED required, with associate degree often preferred
- Experience tracking production output, quality metrics, and downtime reporting
- Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, as required
Production Lead Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production lead in Ohio?
Most production leads in Ohio move up from floor-level operator or assembler roles after building hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment. No state-issued license is required for the role itself, but employers strongly favor candidates who have completed internal leadership training or hold a credential such as a Lean Six Sigma Yellow or Green Belt. An associate degree in manufacturing technology, industrial supervision, or a related field from an Ohio community college can accelerate the path.
Which companies hire production leads in Ohio?
Employers hiring production leads in Ohio right now include Pratt Industries, Schneider Electric, and JBS Foods, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Ohio's dense concentration of automotive, consumer goods, and food processing facilities means demand is steady across both large anchor manufacturers and their regional supplier networks.
Which Ohio cities have the most production lead jobs?
Vandalia, Fairfield, and Mason have the most production lead openings in Ohio. Columbus anchors the central Ohio market through automotive and distribution operations, Cleveland draws from its legacy in metals and advanced manufacturing, and Cincinnati benefits from a strong consumer goods and chemical manufacturing base anchored by companies like Procter & Gamble.
Are there remote production lead jobs in Ohio?
Yes, but they're rare. Production lead work is fundamentally hands-on and floor-based, so the vast majority of roles require an on-site presence to supervise workers and monitor output. About 0% of production lead openings tied to Ohio are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically involve administrative or quality oversight functions rather than direct line supervision.
How can I get hired as a production lead in Ohio with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing an operator or assembler role first and pursuing an internal promotion. Large Ohio manufacturers such as Honda, General Electric, and Whirlpool regularly advance floor-level employees into lead positions through structured leadership development programs. Completing a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt course through Columbus State or Cincinnati State, or gaining a forklift certification, signals readiness. Lateral moves from quality inspector or line trainer roles are also common stepping stones into production lead work.
Where can I find and apply to production lead jobs in Ohio?
You can find and apply to production lead jobs in Ohio on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 39 Production Lead Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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